Vessel for aerial navigation



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E.P.PALG0.NN ET; VESSEL PORAEEIAL NAVIGATION;

N. PETERS. Phnla-Lilhogmpher, Washillglun. D. c.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. F-. PALOONNET.

, VESSEL FOR AERIAL NAVIGATION.

(No Model.)

N0.31 1,88'7. Patented Peb. 10; 1885.

' NY PETERS.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

. E. F. FALOONNET.

I VESSEL FOR AERIAL NAVIGATION.

Patented Feb. 10, 1885.

a r EEFJWEFI N PEZYEHS. Fhulo-Lvlhographer, Washington.

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EUGENE .F. FALCONNET', OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

VESSEL FOR AERIAL NAVIGATION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 311,887, dated February 10, 1885..

Application filed November 8, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EUGENE F. FALCONNET, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nashville,in the county of Davidson and'State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vessels for Aerial Navigation, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in handling and steering that class of vessels for'aerial navigation that are designed to be propelled, steered, and handled by propulsive machinery arranged within the vessel through externally-adjusted appliances; and it consists in adjusting in and protruding through from the sides of the hull, on both sides,opposite to each other, adj usta ble side fins for deflecting the course and steering aerial vessels vertically while in flight; also, in providing machinery for handling and changing the position of such fins, either separately, in groups of two or more, or of the whole simultaneously also, in the manner of connecting such side fins to machinery arranged within the vessel through revolving cylindrical axles passing inward from without through the sides of the hull.

It also consists in the method of deflecting the course of and steering aerial vessels vertically while in ilight by the aid of side fins secured on the outside and adjusted and handled by machinery arranged within the vessel: also, in the method ofhandling and using such side fins,and in the mode of constructing side fins for deflecting the vertical course of aerial vessels.

. menuand combination of a train of machinery within the hull for handling and adjusting the fins arranged on the sides of aerial vessels.

Figure 1 is the side elevation of a complete aerial ship. showing the hull with cabin projecting below and bulkheads rising above the same, the intersected gas field, longitudinal and diagonal supporting cords, the side and end screws, the fin-shaped rudder-blades and supporting-frame, central raising and lowering screw,side-adj usted fans and side-adjusted fins for deflecting the vertical course of the vessel. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of one deck of the hull of the vessel,and the cabin protruding below, showing a train of one form of machinery for simultaneously adjusting the series of fins on one side of the vessel. Fig. 3 is an elevation ofanother form of gear-connection for handling thesidefins. Fig. iis an elevation of the external side of the vessels hull, showing a vertical deflecting-fin set at various angles. the axle-shaft by which it is supported, the endless chain by which it is handled, and a ragwheel for carrying the chain. Fig. 5 is an interior elevation of a fragment of one deck of the vessels hull, showing another.

arrangement of the gear-connection for ad justing and handling the side fins. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the same train of machinery enlarged. Fig. 7 is an elevation of one set of gearingwvheels and shaft for adjusting the side fins. Fig. 8 is a plan of a ragwheel which carries the chain for handling the side fins. Fig. 9 is an interior elevation of another form ofconnecting-gearforhandlingsidefins. Fig.

10 is a vertical cross-section of a fragment of the hull of the vessel, showing the same machinery. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a side fin, constructed to open and close like a fan, and secured to a revolving cylindrical shaft having branching arms,or a yoke protruding from the side of the hull, showing the cable or chain by which it is opened and closed, and the gear-wheel by which it is revolved on its axis. Fig. 12 is a side elevation of another style of tin, constructed to open and close like a fan, mounted on the side of the hull, showing the connecting-gear by which itis revolved on its axis. Fig. 13 is a sideelevarial vessel, showing the side fans for carrying Fig. 15 is a side elevation of an ae-- pelling the central screw, I.

the vessel downward. Fig. 16 is a vertical section of an aerial ship, showing the side fins set horizontally and the side fans in place,one closed and'the other open, for throwing the vessel around in that direction. Fig. 17 is avertical elevation of the raising and lowering central screw. Fig. 18 is across-section of afragment of the vessels hull, showing a side elevation of an adjustable side fan. Fig. 19 is the fin-shaped rudder-blades, with the supporting frame and cables by which they are handled. Fig. 20is a setof projecting beams and a side screw for propelling the vessel longitudinally.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the hull of the vessel,constructed on a general frame of metal consisting of longitudinal central chords, (1 a a a longitudinal gunwale'chords c c 0 0 as well as thwarts and other longitudinal chords, (not shown,)'

'crossgirders e e e 6 uprights, stanchions or posts b b, and diagonal and other braces and supports, all by central intermediate elbows, sleeve, and terminal angle-blocks secured at their several intersections into one substantial firm frame.

A is a cabin constructed partly within and protruding part of its depth below the hull A, on a light substantial frame like that of the 9 hull,the stanchion or post from which may be carried down into and be made to form a part of the cabins frame. The frame of the cabin A and hull A are so intimately united that the two might be called one frame.

The hull A is divided by horizontal partitions, decks, or floors e e c 6 into compartments, and by vertical partitions into rooms, and is provided with machinery and motor power for impelling the driving-screws h, the end screws, f, and handling the steering-rudders g, the side fans, Z, and side fins, 7c, and for other purposes, and with other conveniences and necessaries for such vessels. The cabin A is also divided into compartments by suitable partitions, and is provided with doors, windows, and other means of ventilation, as well as the appliances and conveniences usual in cabins. Entering in through the bottom of the cabin is a well in which is arranged a carriage, H, for carrying a central screw, I, and the machinery for handling thecarriage H and im- Protruding from the sides of the hull at intervals fore and aft are wheel houses or beams j,arranged in pairs, for supporting, andin which the side propelling-screws,h,are mounted; also the adjustable fans Z and the side fins, k, and in the ends of the hull are shifting ways in which the end screws, f, are mounted and by which their position may be changed. Secured to and forming part of the upper longitudinal chords, I a and c, of the hull,which extend fore and aft to the nodes a at intervals from stem to stern,

-is a'series of bulk-heads, B, that rise to the height of the gas-field, furnishing by theirvadiagonal chords, girders, or posts and braces,

all secured at their several intersections by central, intermediate, elbow, sleeve, and terminal angle-blocks, and if necessary, a cable may be introduced within the tubing to bind together and strengthen the whole. The bulkheads B are stayed longitudinally by longitudinal chords d d 01 which, extending from bow to stern, passing over are secured to the periphery of the several bulk-heads B. Be-

sides serving as the lateral and vertical supports of the vessel, the bulkheads B furnish seats for and aid in supporting the several gasbags D forming the gas-field, and securing them in place.

D are gas bags or receptacles, constructed to fit when inflated, between the bulk-heads B, longitudinally, the chords a and d vertically, and the chords d d laterally, and by suitable lashings they are secured to the several chords, bulk-heads, and cross-gird ers with which they are brought in contact, and overlaid with a substantial netting, which may also be lashed down to aid in securing such bags in place, and, if necessary, the entire vessel may be overlaid with a thin metal roof to protect the gasbags from the weather and from fire. The gas-field D is to be large enough to give buoyancy, to give equipoise on the earth, to the ship and cargo, is internally divided into cells or sections by partitions provided with automatic valves 2), and is provided with an internal air-sack, z, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 16, communicating, through valves x, with the outer air, to aid expansion and contraction of the volume of the gas. The side screws, 71, are con structed of any desired size, and of any matcrial that will best serve the purpose,with several blades having the most efficient wind for rapid travel, and by an axle-shaft, h, are mounted in suitable bearings in the oute r ends of the beamsj, projecting from the sides of the hull, and are actuated by propulsive machinery arranged within the vessel through connecting-gearings passing out through or along the line of the beams j, to go in either direction with equal facility,and are employed for propelling the vessel forward either end front. The. central screw, 1, which may be of the same material, form, and size of the side screw, h, or of any other form, size, and material, is mounted on an axle-shaft, i, having journal-protuberances t", which serve as jour nal-bearings, and work in boxings s in the bore s"of the carriage H, and carrying at the opposite end a pulley or gear wheel, i, by

which it is revolved 011 its axis, and is employed for raising the vessel vertically from equipoise on the earth into mid-air, and returning it again vertically to earth when it is desired to alight. ing the screw 1 when it is not desired for use, the carriage H, in which it is mounted, maybe mounted in ways to be raised and lowered by gear-wheels p, gearing with a toothed rack, p, formed on the outer side of the carriage H, and actuated by propulsive machinery within the vessel. \Vhen not required for use, the carriage H is raised up into its housing, throwing the screw impelling machinery out of gear; but when it is to be used the screw I is lowered below the cabin, bringing the gear-wheel i to gear with the gear-wheel '5 connected by a shaft, 41*, with propulsive machinery within thehull, through which means it is made to revolve rapidly on its axis in either direction. In lieu of eogged gear, the screw 1 may be impelled by an endless belt and. pulley-wheels. The end screw, j, which may be of the same material and form of the side screws, or of any other that will serve the purpose, is mounted on. a longitudinal shaft, f, intersected by a universaljoint andjournaled in bearings secured in a bracket, f, and in a shifting carriage, f, in the end of the vessels hull, and is employed for propelling the vessel forward, and, when obdurate, as an aid to steering the vessel. \Vhen employed for the purpose of steering, the carriage in which the end screw is journaled is thrown by machinery to the right or left, so that the screw will be out of linelongitudinally with the line of the vessel, and when made to revolve in that position the end of the vesselis thrown forward in the new line of travel, carrying the end of the vessel around. Having gained the newcourse the screw is returned to its normal position and employed as a propeller. I

Being a counterpart of each other,a description of one will serve as a description of both rudder-blades g. The rudder-blades r arelong light tin-shaped blades made tapering from a broad end, carrying a wheel, g 9, upon each. corner, by which itis moved in its ways in the horizontal beams of the frame 9", extending down from the under side of the tapering ends of the vessel to a pivot joint, g, by which it is secured to the under side of the vessel amidships, near the waist, and one edge is made to conform to the outline form of the tapering ends of the ship, and it is handled by tiller ropes, cables, or chains, q, passing over pulley-wheels gin the vertical supports of the frame g", and at intervals inboard to suitable steering machinery, The rudder blades g are employed for-laterally deflecting and changing the vessels course,the outer ends bcin g throw n to the right and left in its ways in the frame g" by the steering-cables q. The fansZ are made of a light frame of blades covered with light XVith a view to housered by any suitable flexible material.

a multiple knucklejoint by a key, andlaterally stayed by cables or chains passing through the same, and is made to open and close like a fan. The fan Z may be secured to fixed protuberances formed on the sides of the hull A, to beams passing through from within the hull, or to revolving cylindrical hollow shafts l,provided with hollow branching arms Z,carrying pulley-wheels Z j ournaled in suitable bearings in the hull, and is opened and closed by cables or chains Z*,secured to the sides of the fan and passing to machinery arranged within the vessel. The fans Z may, if preferred, be rigidly secured by one side to the hull, and opened thence by means ofthe cables or chains,or may be opened both ways from a common center. When opened from one side, the fan may be housed in a suitable recess in the side of the hull, so that when not in use it is wholly out of the way; and besides being used as aids to steering, the winds being fair, the fans may be used as sails, or the winds being adverse,they may be used as checks to speed. The fans Z are ranged along the side of the hull at intervals, and when needed for steering one or more fans are thrown out on the side toward which it is desired to go. The vessel being clogged on that side is immediately brought about.

It is a revolving adjustable fin of any desired size, and constructed of any suitable material. observing that lightness and durability should be coupled with great tensile strength, and either rigid,or to open and close likeafan. The fin k is secured to and made to form part of a plain revolving shaft, w,having axle-bearing 0,

by which itis journaled ina journal-boxing, 0", in the side of the hull, and carrying on the inner end a gear-wheel, 0, by whichitis revolved on its axis, and on the outer end arigid frame covered with thin metal or other material, of which 10 is a cross-beam extending nearly at right angles to the main shaft to to the full diameter of the fin, and w" are diverging ribs radiating to the periphery, and w is a peripherical band or hoop, which binds the whole together and secures the outer edge of the fin. It is obvious that any other form of frame may cohsistently be adopted, so that the fin will have-the necessary dimensions and strength, and, as stated, may be made to open and close like a fan, in which event the revolving shaft in is replaced by a hollow cylindrical shaft,

A having hollow branching arms is, provided with grooved pulleys, a journal-axle, 0, and mounting on the inner end a gear-wheel, 0, by which it is revolved on its axis, and a multiple knuckle-joint, m, between the branching arms. The tin is constructed on a series of thin metal blades, n, keyed together at the inner end in the kuuckle-jointm, and the free ends united together by chains or cables passing through them laterally, and the whole eov- The fan,like the tin,is opened and closed by( ables or chains secured to the edges, and passing thence flexible material secured by their inner ends in I by way of the hollow branching arms 7a through the cylinder is tothe'interior'of the vessel, where they are handled by machinery or otherwise.

requisite to successfully deflect the vertical course of the vessel may be ranged at intervals fore and aft, opposite to each other, along the sides of the vessel, and be soconnected that they will act simultaneously, in groups or singly, as occasion may demand, and are handled by suitable trains of machinery within bearings t and provided at intervals with endless worms or screws t, and carrying a spur-wheel, t, by which it is revolved. In this train of machinery the gear-wheel 0, on the inner end of the shaft w or It, gears with the endless screw it on the shaft t, which, beingrevolved in the proper direction, sets the fins simultaneously at the angle or in the position desired, the trains of gear-connections shown in .Figs. 3, 9, 10, and 12 embracing driving gear wheels which gear with the gear-wheel 0 on the end of the shaft to or k and a spur-wheel, F. I prefer, however, the mode of mounting and handling the fin and the train of machinery shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, in which 0 is the gear-wheel on the revolving shaft to supporting the fin, and u u are gearwheels secured on the inner end of the revolving shafts u u", journaled in and passing out through suitable bearings in the side of the hull A; and u u are rag-wheels secured on the outer ends of the shafts u" u", and placed against the outside of the hull in juxtaposition with and on opposite sides of the fins It, so that a chain or cable, 61 extending from the antipode ends of the crossbeam to will pass over each rag-wheel, as shown in Figs. 4 andv 6; u is a general impelling gear-wheel. In the outer ends of the cross-beams wone V each-4s agrooved pulley-wheel,r,'wh ich runs on the cable or chain it, and the cable or chain is kept from being displaced by an arbor, r.

In lieu of the grooved wheel 1", a clutch or set-screw, 1, may be introduced into the ends of the cross-beams w, by which the chain or and persons considering the subject of aerial navigation, that; two kinds of steering are absolutely necessary and essentialsteerin'g laterally, to the right and left, and vertical steering, steering upward and downward, in changing from one air-current to another in sailing over mountains, plains, &c., and that this latter kind of steering cannot be ef- Any number of these side fins, 7c,

to enable the aeronaut to deflect the course of his vesselvertically, I have devised and introduced the side fins. Arranging them on the two sides of the vessel,the action on both sides will be equal and uniform. Suppose therebe three fins on a side and the forward end'ot' each is dipped below the horizontal plane of its axis, the fin being set at a pitch, the entire series will form the lines of a screw, which as it is rushed forward will force the vessel downward. The angle of the fins being reversed, so that the direction will be upward, the vessel will be gradually carried upward, 850., in the meantime by the rudder-blades, end screws, and side fans. Employing one, more, or all, the vessel may be steered laterally.

Though in my drawings I show, and in my specification I set out, the form, construction,

and general appointments of aerial vessels, the

modeof constructing, mounting, securing, and operating side fans and adjust-able steeringrudders for deflecting the lateral course of aerial vessels, the mode ofconstructing, mounting and operating side propelling and end propelling and steering screws, for propelling and steering aerial vessels, and the mode of constructing, mounting, adjusting, and operating a central screw for raising and lowering aerial vessels vertically, I do so merelyto show the relation of the several parts to each otherin making up a perfect and complete ship. As on the 8th of November, A. D. 1883, I filed, and now have pending in the United States Patent Office, applications for Letters Patent on these specific features, numbered respectively, 111,240, 111,238, 111,237, and 111,236, I do not claim them herein.

Having now described my invention, that those skilled in the art to which it pertains can adapt it, what I esteem as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is-

1. Series of adjustable fins attached to revolving shafts journaled and secured in and projecting from the sides of the hull on both sides of the vessel at intervals from how to stern, for vertically deflecting and steering aerial vessels in-flight, substantially as shown and described. 2. For simultaneously adjusting and holding at appropriate angles for vertically steering and deflecting the course of aerial vessels in flight, series of side-fins ranged at intervals along both side's-of the hull from stem to stern, and'trains of engaging and gearing machinery arranged within the vessel,'substantially as shown and described.

3. In vessels for aerial navigation, series of adjustable fins attached to revolving axleshafts secured in bearingsin and protruding through the sides of the hull on both sides at course of vessels for aerial navigation, subintervals from bow to stern, in combination with revolving shafts, engaging gearings, and

internally-placed propulsive machinery, the whole arranged and constructed for deflecting and steering the vessel vertically, substantially as described.

4. In vessels for aerial navigation, adjustable side fins secured to revolving shafts arranged in hearings in and passing from within out through the side of the vessel, and stayed by guys and lateral supports, substantially as shown and described.

5. In vessels for aerial navigation, adjustable revolving fins formed on revolving thafts secured in suitable bearings in the sides of and passing through to within the hull of the vessel at intervals from bow to stern, and handied by internally-arranged machinery, substantially as shown and described.

6. Adjustable revolving fins formed on a revolving shaft provided with suitable journalbearings,and carrying a gear-wheel for handling and revolving the same on their axis,substantially as shown and described.

7. In vessels for aerial navigation, adj ustable revolving fins arranged at intervals along the two sides of the ship,and secured in place by a revolving shaft passing to within the vessel, in combination with trains of internallyarranged propulsive machinery, substantially as shown and described.

8. In vessels for aerial navigation, adjustable revolving fins arranged along the sides of the hull at intervals on both sides,opposite to each other, and secured in place on a revolving axle-shaft that passes through the side to within the vessel, and provided with a gearwheel on the inner end, in combination with chains a and rag-wheels 1610, the latter secured on a shaft, to a, journaled in boxings in the side of the hull, and carrying at the opposite ends gear-wheels a a, gearing with gear-wheel o,all constructed, arranged, and operated substantially as shown and described.

9. In combination, fin k, revolving shaft 20,

cross-beams w, grip-clutches r chains n ragwheels a a, revolving shafts a a, gear-wheels u u, gear wheel 0 in a fin-like device ranged along. the sides, for deflecting the vertical stantially as shown and described.

10. In combination, fin k, revolving shaft 10, journal-bearings 0 gear-wheel 0, shaft t, and endless screw t in a train of machinery for simultaneously arranging and adjusting the series of side fins employed in deflecting the vertical flight of vessels for aerial navigation, substantially as shown and described.

11. In vessels for aerial navigation, adj ustable side fins, 7c, and vertical raising and lowering central screw, I, for effecting the altitude and changing the position of such vessels vertically, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

12. The side fins,k, mounted on revolving shafts and handled by propulsive machinery within the vessel, in combination with side fans, Z, steering-rudder blade 9, and adjustable end screw, f,for steering and deflecting the vertical and lateral course of vessels for aerial navigation, substantially as show n,and for the purpose described.

13. In aerial vessels propelled, handled, and steered by external appliances through machinery within the vessel, the combination of side propelling-screws, h, series of fins 7c,attached to revolving shafts w, journaled in and projecting from the sides of the hull A on both sides at intervals from bow to' stern, and

internally-arranged gearing machinery, the

whole constructed and arranged for propelling forward and deflecting and steering the vessel vertically, substantially as shown and described.

14. Trains of engaging gearing machinery arranged within the vessel for simultaneously adjusting and holding at appropriate angles series of side fins ranged at intervals from how to stern along both sides of the hull, and adapted for steering and deflecting the vertical course of vessels for aerial navigation while in flight, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I afflx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EUGENE F. EALOONNET.

Vifitnesses:

J. B. COLEMAN, HENRY NIXON. 

